Tired of my lean mean machine!

[bfancett]

I have yet to add my FI-2050ST fuel processor (still need to purchase it), and have not done any exhaust or air mods yet either.

The other day a friend from college was visiting from Kuwait, and wanted me to take him on a short ride to see how the bike performed. Our combined weight of about 400 lbs, made my Nomad perform like crap!! I rolled and rolled on the throttle, and it seems like I was putting petal to the metal in an old Ford Escort or something, I was kind of imbarrased! The performace was really slow.

I don't have a ton of money to spend, but can get the TFI FI-2050ST for $150 direct from Techlusion with a military discount, so I have no problem paying for that. My question is, without aftermarket exhaust, can I add the TFI and something else to give me better performance, because I REALLY need it.

Even without a passenger, it seems like when I roll on the throttle there isn't as much excleration as there should be, I know this is becuase the Nomads run very lean.

So, can I add the TFI without new exhasust (Mac I think we talked about this before), and what can I do to the air system that is inexpensive but will increase performance with the TFI as well?

Thanks,

Brian

[macmac]

Well you need to git yer ol' self familar with this page...
http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm

If it were me and I could not get V&H baggers this is what I would do.

The first thing is a TFI installed ot the Cobra version...

The very next thing I would do is get the "Dutch By-Pass" and get that goat belly the hell off, leaving you with stock head pipes and stock mufflers.

Then next before I started the engine one time, I would do the Duel Caddman kit., unless you would cut out the air tube cross over and make it be a single right side only Caddman kit, ala Coyotte Kit

AND you just might want to make sure your throttle plates are opening all the way..

Yank the right side stock dog bowl off (as seated) get a battery operated flash light somewhere, and roll on that throttle wide open, with the engine OFF.

Nomads ain't nearly real fast but it sounds like yours is a little sick.

What is hard for me is to remember just how doggy they are stock.

Check to make sure the plug wires are on snug too.

[bfancett]

I just looked at "The Caddmann Kit" on Gadgets site for the first time, and maybe I am just to much of a novice or timid, but there is no way I am going to do that. Seems like my warranty would go right out the window doing that, plus it seems rather complicated, too much for me anyways.

Additionally, the "goat belly" isn't that the same thing as the Catalytic converter. I do not weld, so I don't see how I can do that either.

Can't I just add a performace air filter on the right side or something?

[bfancett]

Sorry, not the right side....the left side.

[Todd]

Brian, you don't really have to do anything to the left side air unless you just want the "look".

Go get a Spectre (much cheaper) or a K&N 9" air filter kit and a little longer bolt with the same metric thread pattern (can remember it right off hand).

Take off the right stock cover, unplug the ICS's if you can't stand the ticking...bolt on the 9" top cover plate with filter......throw away the bottom plate that came with the kit........then go for a ride. Less than $40 bucks....until you buy your TFI.

You will be amazed at the difference even without the TFI...the filter is something you can do today on the cheap.....depending on your bike and its set up (since they are all different), I would probably go ahead and get the TFI on order....but I ran mine without a TFI (or resistor mod) for a little while...the stock ECU is able to adjust just a little with the cooler air flow across the air temp sensor...but probably not enough.

[dkdixie]

Here's a suggestion you might consider.
Contact Joe Norris (Chuckster) at chuckster1_31@comcast.net and see what he would charge to install the TFI and open up the right side air box using his throttle plate.
Since he's a fellow Wolverine I think it would be affordable.

[ringadingh]

Replacing the air filter with an aftermarket setup shouldn't effect your warranty, try cleaning the throttle body with carb cleaner, and add some Seafoam to the gas. This will ensure that your fuel system is clean. Nomads are sensitive to dirty throttle body's.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Brian ("Itinerant Man")

I just looked at "The Caddmann Kit" on Gadgets site for the first time, and maybe I am just to much of a novice or timid, but there is no way I am going to do that. Seems like my warranty would go right out the window doing that, plus it seems rather complicated, too much for me anyways.

Additionally, the "goat belly" isn't that the same thing as the Catalytic converter. I do not weld, so I don't see how I can do that either.

Can't I just add a performace air filter on the right side or something?

The Caddmann Kit (right side) is an inexpensive mod and is very easy to undo if desired. You plug a hose with a marble or rubber stopper, cap two vacuum lines, unplug 4 connectors, and slide two solenoids off their mounts. 10 minutes work. Then you replace the right side dog dish with a 9" air filter housing. That will provide much more airflow, and along with a fuel processor can yield some performance gain.

There is little benefit in doing anything on the left side because no matter what you do, you can't move more air than the crossover tube will allow. It has a couple of severe bends in it and is a huge bottleneck.

Try it - the 9" air cleaner assembly is less than $20. An assortment of vacuum fitting caps is $3-$4, and if you have kids you may already have the marble. If not, I used a rubber stopper that cost me $.79. You can restore the right side back to stock in under 10 minutes.

[bfancett]

It sounds like adding an aftermarket air filter is only half the battle, and that opening up the right side is where the real performance increase comes from.

Can anyone provide a link to the kits for this, so that I can see what we are talking about?

I only have 1600 miles on the bike, so I don't think anything is clogged or grimmed up, the bike is only 3 months old! I think I am just used to a little better performance than what the Nomad offers off the showroom floor.

Thanks,

Brian

[ringadingh]

I think Gadgets page has some part numbers and possibly a link to some air filter info.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Brian ("Itinerant Man")

It sounds like adding an aftermarket air filter is only half the battle, and that opening up the right side is where the real performance increase comes from.

Can anyone provide a link to the kits for this, so that I can see what we are talking about?

I only have 1600 miles on the bike, so I don't think anything is clogged or grimmed up, the bike is only 3 months old! I think I am just used to a little better performance than what the Nomad offers off the showroom floor.

Thanks,

Brian

http://www.amazon.com/Spectre-4770-M.../dp/B00062ZDJ0

Here's one with the white cotton/paper filter. AutoZone sells one with the cloth/oiled filter for a little more money.

[bfancett]

Does having an exposed air filter cause any problems in the rain? Would keeping the stock dog bowl and replacing stock air filter with a K&N still increase performance...I hear mixed reviews about this.

[phenrichs]

No, by the time the rain gets bad enough to effect the filter you are usually pulled over because it is too heavy to ride in anyway.

[ccmjr77]

Question?:
If you use Chucksters plate, Can you use a 7" filter and the original dog bowl on the right(throttle) side?
I don't want to do anything to the left side and would like to keep the look the same on both sides.

[bfancett]

Yes, you can use a 7" filter. Check out this other Kawasaki forum posting:

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...owl-cover.html